Tubular support for skate runners and process



G. E. SCHMIDT 1,747,682

Feb. 18, 1930.

TUBULAR SUPPORT FOR SKATE mmmans AND PROCESS/ Filed Jan. 24, 1928 Patented Feb. 18, 1930 PATENT OFF-ICE GUSTAV EL SGHMIDT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TUBULAR SUPPDRT' FOR SKATE RUNNERS AND PROCESS Application filed January 24, 1928. Serial No. 249,047.

My invention relates to ice skates, and more particularly to an improved construction of runner support or mounting for the skate, and also to an improved method of forming the runner support from sheet metal.

Oneof the objects of my invention resides in providing a sheet metal support oftubular formation constructed so as to be extremely light in weight, while at the same time of pronouncedly rugged construction andparticularly with respect to the mounting for the skate runner, thereby eliminating to a minimum the possibility of wrenching the runner loose or permitting its deformation.

Another object of my invention resides inrthe provision of a one-piece runner support which is formed from 'a sheet metal blank and wherein thefree edges of the blank in the completely formed support are Welded together, thus forming a seamless support of great strength but of light weight.

Yet another object of my invention resides in theprocess by which I form my improved tubular runner support, and particularly in the manner in which the free edges of the sheet metal blank are bent with respectto the main body of the blank so as to provlde not only the re-entrant-seat for the skate runner and the tubular reinforcing portions on each side thereof, but also in a manner in whichthe free edges of the sheet metal blank are welded in abutting relation and in contact withthe upper wall which forms a seat whereby to provide a very compact and simple support for the runner. I

' These and otherobjects of my invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specifications when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

wherein-- Fig. 1 is a side view of my improved skate;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 ofFig.-1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of one type of'blank used in forming my support; I Fig. 4 is a view of the blank showing the I first step in the formation of the support; [Fig.5 is a successive view showing the necessary step or steps; 7 Fig. 6 shows atop or plan view of one of the supports with the runner in position.

In general my skate comprises the usual toe plate 2 and heel plate 4. The former has the usual toe cup 6 and toe brace 8 connected thereto, and the latter has the usual heel plate cup attached thereto. These cups and the brace are rigidly fastened as by riveting or welding or soldering to the support forming the subject matter of my invention.

In order best to describe the nature and construction of my improved support and the skate runner assembled thereto, Iwill refer to the figures of the drawings which clearly disclose the preferred manner of making the same and wherein I start with a strip or shape 12 of sheet metal, preferably sheet metal and preferably of rectangular formation.

In the present instance the stri is preferably the length of one support ut it is of course understood that a relatively long strip may be used and definite lengths out therefrom for each'support.

. Starting now with the blank in Fig. 3, the first operation consists informing the blank longitudinally and substantially intermediate its width with an upstanding hollow ridge formed by bending the blank to providespaced apart parallel vertical'walls 14 and 1.6 and an upper wall 18 which joins the walls 14 and 16 together. This hollow ridge or upstanding pocket extends the length of the blank and the original blank projects outwardly at right angles thereto to provide two-relatively wide extensions 20 and 22. Either simultaneously with the formation of this upstanding ridge orthereafter or before, I also cutthe ends of the blank either singly or simultaneously to form thesubstantially rounded tongues 24 and 26,. and I also cut away the metal of the blank therebetween to provide the opening 28'. .Obviously' the formation of these tongues and the opening 28 maybe formed in many different ways. 7 The next step in the formation of my blank is shown clearly in Fig. 5' wherein'the extensions. 20 and 22are bent upwardly and over the walls 14 and 16 so that theedges 30 and 32 are brought into abutting .contact directly over the top wall 18 of the hollow ridge or pocket, and these edges 30 "and'32 7 reason of my support being made of sheet metal and in the manner illustrated, great I bear directly upon this wall. When thus held in position these edges and 32 are welded together so as to provide a continuous sheet metal tubular structure having a subiatantially fiat upper surface and a re-entrant pocket onits under surface, the inner wall of which abuts the inner wall of the upper surface. In some instances I propose to arrange the welding contacts so that the edges 30 and 32 and the wall 18 are welded together, but this is not the preferred structure.

Either simultaneously with the curling of the extensions 30 and32 upwardly or there after, I also pinch the tongues 24 and 26 to-' gether to provide a substantially blunt nose having a cent-rally and longitudinally disposed slot 34, which slot is formed by the space 28 before the curling operation. This slot extends in the plane of the pocket formed by the walls 14 and 16 and which nose is formed in, a similar manner andwhich is provided. with a slot.

The runner .86 is positioned in the pocket of the support and'fits snugly into contact with the side walls 14 and 16, and the upper edge of therunner 38 is preferably forced into contact with the innersurface of the top 18 of the pocket, the pocket being of sufficient depth to give the runner a relatively wide seating surface therein.

I prefer to solder the heel in any approved manner into position in this-pocket. IVhen the runner is inserted in its socket the front and rear ends of the runner are inserted in the slots 34; in the front and rear noses and are securely held in place by the soldering operation.

It; will thus be seen that I have provided a .very light construction and yet a very strong construction, the strength being approximately fifteen times stronger than the tubular supports now being used. This is due to the arrangement of the side Walls of the pocket being reinforced by the tubular portions on eachside thereof, and the further fact that.

the top of the pocket abuts the under side of the top of the support and the fact that the upper edge of therunner 'abutsthe top of thepocket, the solder holding all partsin secure position.

Particular attention is directed to the, manner in which the abutting free edges of the blank are folded over and welded together I in contact with the upper wall of the pocket.

Thus there is provided a deep pocket extending centrally and longitudinally of the support and the walls of this pocket. contact over relatively extended areas of the runner throughout its length and along the top. By

ruggedness and reinforcing qualities are seure le. maintaining the inherent lightplicity of construction and ease in assembly. At the same time my present construction permits the blade to be removed for repairs or replacement without injuring the blade or the support. By-reason of the construction shown the blade is supported throughout its length and is prevented from being deformed or warped, and furthermore due to thesoldering operations the necessity of riveting or spot welding is eliminated.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An ice skatehaving a tubular support, said support having abutting edges, the intermediateportionof the support being provided with a longitudinally extending, upstanding pocket, the free marginal. longitudinal abutting edges of the support positioned over said pocket and secured together,and alskate runner mounted in said pocket.

2. An ice skate having a support comprising a sheet metal strip of substantially rectangular proportions, said support having abutting marginal edges and, provided inter mediate its length and longitudinally thereof with an upstanding hollow ridge, the walls of which are parallel and the top of said ridge being substantially at right angles to the parallel walls, the marginal longitudinal abutting edges of said blank being secured together and positioned over said ridge in contact with the top thereof, and askate runner seated in said hollow ridge,

3. An ice skate having a sheet metal support comprising a blank of; sheet metal having a re-entrant pocket extending longitudinally thereof, the free edges of the blank beingsecured together so asto present an upper surface for receiving toe and heelcups.

4. An ice skate having asupport comprising a blank of sheetmetal having'its longitudinal marginal edges secured together, said blank being provided between its marginal edges with a re-cntrantly extending pocket having substantially parallel spaced apart walls, and a skate runner soldered in position in said pocket.

5. An ice skate having a sheet metal tubular support, said support having abutting:

longitudinal edges, thetop of said support having a substantially fiat upper surfacepresented by the abutment of, the longitudinal edges thereof, said flat upper surface adapted for receiving the usual toe'and heel cups, the under side of said support being provided with a socket having substantially parallel walls and a base, said base, projectingtoward the under surface of the'top of thesupport, and a skate runner mounted in said socket and mounted in position therein.

6. "lheherein describedprocess of'forming a runner support for anice. skate whichcomprises ,forming J a strip of sheet metal, [With fter st -ai ?r wasaei a en tudinally of the strip and having parallel spaced apart Walls'terminating in an angularly disposed top, bending the sheet on opposite sides of the ridge so as to dispose the marginal edges ofthe strip above the top of the ridge and in abutting relation, and then securing the same together.

7 The herein described process which comprises providing a strip of sheet metal with a longitudinally extending hollow ridge disposed between its marginal edges and formed with substantially parallel sides and an angularly disposed top, folding the free marginal edges of the blank on opposite. sides of the ridge and over the top and into abutting relation in contact with the outer wall of the top, and welding the abutting edges together and finishing the support. 8-. The herein described process which comprises forming a substantially rectangular strip of sheet steel with an upstanding hollow ridge longitudinally thereof and substantially intermediate the marginal edges of the strip, said hollow ridge being formed with substantially parallel sides and an annularly disposed top, providing the end of the strip with spaced apart tongues slightly rounded, the portions of the strip at the end and between the tongue being cut away at the ridge, folding the marginal edges of the strip over the top wall of the ridge and welding them in abutting relation in contact with said wall, diepressing the tongues together to form a blunt nose for the support with the ends provided with longitudinally extending slots registering with the ridge, inserting a skate runner within the hollow portion of the ridge with the front and rear ends of the runner insertedin the slots and soldering the same in position.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub-.

scribed my name.

GUSTAV E. SCHMIDT. 

